Al-Nassr
Al-Nassr kicked off their Pro League campaign in style, cruising to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Al-Fateh in the regular season opener. From the first whistle, Postecoglou’s side looked sharp, dominating possession and carving out chance after chance against an Al-Fateh team that simply couldn’t cope with their attacking quality.
Al-Nassr Take Early Control
The tone was set early when Faisal Al Abdulwahed fouled Kingsley Coman in just the 3rd minute, earning the first yellow card of the match. Al-Nassr immediately asserted their authority, with Angelo opening the scoring in the 37th minute after being played through by Saeed Al Najdi. The Brazilian striker made no mistake, slotting calmly past Waled Al Enazi to send the home fans into raptures.
Joao Felix Doubles the Lead
Just three minutes later, Joao Felix made it 2-0 with a clinical finish after being teed up by Sadio Mane. The Portuguese forward, who had only joined Al-Nassr this summer, showcased his predatory instincts as he rifled the ball into the bottom corner. Al-Fateh tried to regroup at halftime, with Kanga replacing the cautioned Al Abdulwahed, but Al-Nassr continued to dominate proceedings.
Samu Costa Seals the Win
Postecoglou made a double substitution in the 66th minute, bringing on Samu Costa and Abdullah Yahya for Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman. The changes had an immediate impact, with Costa firing home Al-Nassr’s third just seven minutes later after being found by Ali Al-Hamdan. The Spanish midfielder’s emphatic finish put the game well and truly beyond Al-Fateh, who simply had no answer to Al-Nassr’s attacking juggernaut.
Postecoglou’s Men Send a Statement
With 59% possession, 18 shots, and 9 on target, Al-Nassr were utterly dominant. Their slick passing and movement proved too much for an Al-Fateh side that managed just 3 shots on target all game. For Postecoglou, this was the perfect start to his Pro League campaign – a statement win that underlines Al-Nassr’s title credentials. As for Al-Fateh, coach Khaled Al Atwi has plenty to ponder after such a sobering defeat. The league season is long, but Al-Nassr have already served notice that they mean business.
Key Moments
37′ ⚽ Al-Nassr — Angelo (assist: S. Al Najdi)
40′ ⚽ Al-Nassr — Joao Felix (assist: S. Mane)
73′ ⚽ Al-Nassr — Samu Costa (assist: A. Al Hamdan)
